Destin 2013: Day 4

On day four of our vacay, we went to the Gulfarium.  I remember Clayton and my nieces loving it back when we went in 2008.  I was excited to see Drew and Owen enjoy it as well.  :)  It is like a mini Sea World, minus the Orca whales.  They have a dolphin show, sea lion show, otters, sea turtles, tons of fish in tanks, octopus, jellyfish, etc.  It is really fun!

The little boys especially loved being able to view the dolphin tank from underwater.  I'm convinced that Drew would have stayed there all day if I had let him.  ;)  The next pic is blurry, but it was such a funny encounter.  It deserved to be documented.  This one dolphin swam right up next to the window that Drew was looking out of and it totally caught him off guard.  He said, "Whoa!" and backed away as quick as he could.  Ha!  He is convinced that the dolphin snapped at him and now affectionately calls him "Snappy."  Funny boy.

 They really are such beautiful creatures...

Drew is in a turtle phase right now.  I think it started with the tortoise at Critter Camp, maybe?  He watched this little tank for a bit and then said, "Awwww, Mama, look at these two turtles playing.  I think they are brothers."  Love his tender heart....

The dolphin show is fun because you can get right up next to the tank.  

 Why does my baby look 12???

 Next up, the Sea Lion show.  It was really funny - they do such cute tricks.

 He's still a baby, right?

 The boys got to touch and learn some facts about starfish, sea urchins, and horseshoe crabs.

 My Guys  :)

 Drew with more turtles

We went back to the condo for naps and then cleaned up for dinner.  We went to the Baytowne Wharf area to eat and play.  It is such a neat part of Destin - yummy restaurants, cute shops, a neat playground, etc.  I was surprised that we only made it there once this trip.  There was just too many fun things to cram into one week.  I am pushing for a 10 day trip next summer.  ;)

We ate dinner at Hammerhead's.  Mmmm...  it was so yummy!  Unfortunately, it came a gully washer after dinner.  That kind of squashed all of the outdoor fun.  :(  The boys were happy to ride out the storm in the arcade, though.  ;)

Wade has an uncanny ability to win stuffed animals in those claw games.  I never win, but he always gets them on his first try.  Owen has never seen the Smurfs, but is pretty fond of his Papa 'Murf that his Daddy won him.

Day 4 was pretty great, but I was anxious for some more beach time.  We hit the beach again on Day 5.  Yessss!!!!